The Hidden Cost of Delay: Why Inaction on Variations and Claims Erodes Margin
In construction, delay is often spoken about in terms of time. But the true cost of delay is rarely just about the programme—it’s about lost margin.
One of the biggest threats to project profitability isn’t a design issue or site complication. It’s commercial drift: the slow, often unnoticed erosion of value due to unresolved variations, unclaimed entitlement, and under-managed risk.
This issue is particularly common in Tier 1 contracting, where project teams are constantly firefighting and internal commercial teams are overstretched.
Let’s break it down.
Variations Left Too Late
You know the story.
Change events happen. Notifications are raised. But with delivery in full flow, the detail isn’t followed through:
Proper records aren't compiled
Costs aren't substantiated in time
Entitlement goes unclaimed, or worse—gets rejected for poor documentation
By the time commercial attention turns back to it, you’re on the back foot.
Every unresolved variation represents lost value. And the longer it remains open, the harder it becomes to recover.
Extensions of Time in Limbo
Delays happen—but they’re not always acted on properly. Weeks pass before the true extent of delay is understood. Submission windows are missed. Causation becomes unclear.
Suddenly, you’re being held to a completion date that no longer reflects reality.
And with it, exposure to LADs, subcontractor claims, and strained client relationships.
Final Account Fatigue
By the end of the project, teams are tired, turnover is high, and the focus has shifted to the next job. Final account preparation drags. Disagreements linger. Negotiations stall.
And margin bleeds.
The Cost of Doing Nothing
Many believe bringing in external commercial support is an added cost. But here’s the truth: doing nothing often costs far more.
We see this every day—projects where £500k to £5M in unresolved commercial matters have been allowed to drift, with no plan to recover the position.
How a Consulting Surveyor Reverses the Trend
At Winterburn Consulting Surveyors, we specialise in coming in at the point where internal teams are under pressure and commercial clarity is slipping.
We help Tier 1 contractors:
Identify and resolve variation backlogs
Compile robust EoT and loss & expense claims
Support or lead final account negotiations
Protect entitlement before disputes arise
Provide strategic input where internal bandwidth is lacking
The result?
Faster resolution. Reduced exposure. Recovered value.
And often, a return that far outweighs the cost of engagement.
Ask Yourself:
Are there unresolved variations dating back months?
Are subcontractors starting to raise claims without clear response?
Is your internal team overstretched or falling behind?
Are you preparing for handover with too many unknowns?
If the answer is yes to any of these, now is the time to act.
We’re not here to replace your team—we’re here to give them the additional resource and expertise they need to deliver outcomes under pressure.
Let’s have a confidential discussion about where your project stands, and what can still be recovered.